What type of information does a penetration testing report aim to convey to stakeholders?

A penetration testing report is designed to convey comprehensive results of security evaluations to stakeholders. This report typically outlines the findings from the penetration test, which includes identifying vulnerabilities, assessing the risk levels associated with those vulnerabilities, and providing an analysis of how these weaknesses could be exploited by attackers.

The primary goal of such a report is to inform stakeholders—such as management, IT staff, and compliance officers—about the overall security posture of their systems. It provides actionable insights that help organizations understand where their security measures may be lacking and what steps can be taken to remediate identified vulnerabilities.

Additionally, while stakeholders might be interested in specific attack methods or technical specifications, these details serve more as supportive information rather than the main focus of the report. The emphasis is on providing a holistic view of the security state, leading to informed decision-making regarding risk management and resource allocation for security improvements.